Integrated circuit metallic ion diffusion defect validation

ABSTRACT

A method for validating that an integrated circuit die is not susceptible to a conductive metallic ion diffusion defect is disclosed. A test component is applied to a backside surface of the integrated circuit die to form a test assembly. The test component includes a conductive metal layer and a transport media layer for facilitating diffusion of conductive metallic ions. The test assembly is heated at a thermal activation temperature. The integrated circuit die is computer validated to determine whether or not the integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusion defect.

BACKGROUND

In some cases, conductive metallic ions (such as those containing copper(Cu)) may undesirably diffuse through layers of an integrated circuitdie, e.g., from the backside of the integrated circuit die. Suchconductive metallic ion diffusion may cause failures at affectedportions of the integrated circuit die. For example, undesirableconductive metallic ion diffusion may cause transistors in theintegrated circuit die to short circuit during operation. In some cases,such undesirable conductive metallic ion diffusion may be a result of amanufacturing flaw of the integrated circuit die.

SUMMARY

An accelerated method for validating that an integrated circuit die isnot susceptible to a conductive metallic ion diffusion defect isdisclosed. A test component is applied to a backside surface of theintegrated circuit die to form a test assembly. The test componentincludes a conductive metal layer and a transport media layer forfacilitating diffusion of conductive metallic ions. The test assembly isheated at a thermal activation temperature. The integrated circuit dieis computer validated to determine whether or not the integrated circuitdie has the conductive metallic ion diffusion defect.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solveany or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example integrated circuit die.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of aspects of an integrated circuitdie that is free from conductive metallic ion diffusion defects.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method for validating that anintegrated circuit die is not susceptible to a conductive metallic iondiffusion defect.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an example test assembly.

FIG. 5 schematically shows an example test component within a testassembly.

FIG. 6 schematically shows another example test component within a testassembly.

FIG. 7 schematically shows aspects of a test assembly.

FIG. 8 schematically shows another example test component configured foruse in a pressure-based validation method.

FIG. 9 schematically shows an example test computing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an example integrated circuit die 100 mounted to asubstrate package 102. The substrate package 102 includes a plurality ofcontacts 104. The contacts 104 may be connected to a hardware package,such as a motherboard, to install the integrated circuit die 100 in acomputing device for operation. Non-limiting examples of different typesof integrated circuit dies include a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics processing unit (GPU), a system on a chip (SoC), and a memoryunit, among other types. The integrated circuit die 100 may take anysuitable form.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of aspects of anexemplary integrated circuit die. More particularly, different layers ofan integrated circuit die that form a transistor 200 are depicted. Thetransistor 200 includes a source 202, a gate 204, and a drain 206 thatare formed on a substrate layer 208. A plurality of interconnects 210(e.g., 210A, 210B, 210C) are electrically connected to the source 202,the gate 204, and the drain 206, respectively. The interconnects 210comprise conductive metal that facilitates electrical connectionsbetween the transistor 200 and other electronic components of theintegrated circuit die. Such electrical connections allow for thetransmission and distribution of electrical signals and power across theintegrated circuit die. In one example, the conductive metal is orincludes copper.

In some cases, conductive metallic ions may undesirably diffuse throughlayers of an integrated circuit die, e.g., from the backside of the die,and cause failures of affected portions of the integrated circuit die.For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of foreign metallic ionsmay create shorts from either the source 202, the gate 204 or the drain206 to the substrate 208, or to each other. Note that the depictedschematic example is simplified/idealized for purposes of clarity, and aconductive metallic ion diffusion defect in an integrated circuit diemay take any suitable form resulting from undesirable migration ofconductive material.

The undesirable diffusion of conductive metallic ions in an integratedcircuit die may not always be readily identifiable upon manufacturing ofthe integrated circuit die. For example, although an integrated circuitdie may be susceptible to a conductive metallic ion diffusion defect,the negative effects of such a defect may not present themselves untilafter the integrated circuit die has been put into operation for acertain amount of time. As such, it may be difficult to detect that anintegrated circuit die is susceptible to a conductive metallic iondiffusion defect prior to the integrated circuit die being put intooperation.

Accordingly, the present description is directed to an approach forvalidating that an integrated circuit die is not susceptible to aconductive metallic ion diffusion defect. The validation approach mayaccelerate conductive metallic ion diffusion in an integrated circuitdie that is susceptible to the conductive metallic ion diffusion defectby employing a combination of acceleration techniques. In one example,the validation approach includes applying a test component to a backsidesurface of an integrated circuit die under test to form a test assembly.The test component includes a conductive metal layer and a transportmedia layer. The conductive metal layer provides a significant source ofconductive metal that may be ionized during the validation approach tocontribute to the diffusion of conductive metallic ions through theintegrated circuit die under test. The transport media layer mayfacilitate the diffusion of the conductive metallic ions through thesusceptible portions of the integrated circuit die under test.Furthermore, as part of the validation process, the test assembly isheated at a thermal activation temperature that facilitates conductivemetallic ions to be transported via the transport media between theconductive metal layer and the susceptible portions of the integratedcircuit die to expose the defect in the integrated circuit die.

In this way, an integrated circuit die that is susceptible to conductivemetallic ion diffusion defects can be identified in a timely manner,allowing integrated circuit dies to be efficiently validated prior tobeing put into operation in computing devices.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method 300 for validating that anintegrated circuit die is not susceptible to a conductive metallic iondiffusion defect. The validation method 300 may be performed as ascreening process that is separate from a manufacturing process of theintegrated circuit die (e.g., a post-manufacturing validation). At 302,the method 300 may include applying a test component to a backsidesurface of an integrated circuit die to form a test assembly.

FIG. 4 schematically shows an example test assembly 400 that may beformed to validate that an integrated circuit die is not susceptible toa conductive metal diffusion defect. The test assembly 400 includes anintegrated circuit die 402 under test. A test component 404 is appliedto a backside surface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402. The testcomponent 404 may form a layer that covers substantially the entirebackside surface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402. The testcomponent 404 may include a conductive metal and a transport media. Theconductive metal included in the test component 404 may be matched to aconductive metal of the integrated circuit die 402. For example, if theintegrated circuit die 402 may be susceptible to a copper diffusiondefect, then the test component may be configured to include copper. Thetransport media may include any suitable material that is configured tobe inserted between two components in order to enhance the thermalcoupling between the two components. In particular, the transport mediamay be configured to facilitate ionization of the conductive metal suchthat the conductive metal ions may diffuse between the test component404 and the integrated circuit die 402. In some examples, the transportmedia may include a thermal interface material. Non-limiting examples ofthermal interface face materials that may be included in the testcomponent 404 include thermal grease, thermal adhesive, a thermallyconductive pad, a thermal tape, and phase-change materials.

In some implementations, the conductive metal and the transport media ofthe test component 404 may be arranged into different layers. In someexamples, as shown in FIG. 5, the test component 404 may include aconductive metal layer 500 that is applied directly to the backsidesurface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402. In some examples, theconductive metal layer 500 may be applied to substantially the entirebackside surface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402. The conductivemetal layer 500 may comprise any suitable conductive metal material. Inone example, the conductive metal layer 500 comprises copper. Theconductive metal layer 500 may have any suitable thickness. In oneexample, the conductive metal layer 500 may a have a thickness rangingbetween 0.0001-0.002 millimeters.

Furthermore, a transport media layer 502 may be applied directly to theconductive metal layer 500 to form the test component 404. In someexamples, the transport media layer 502 may be applied to substantiallythe entire surface of the conductive metal layer 500. In some examples,the transport media layer 502 may have a surface area that is greaterthan or equal to a surface area of the conductive metal layer 500. Thetransport media layer 502 may have any suitable thickness. Moreover, thethickness of the transport media layer 502 may depend on the type oftransport media that is used in the test component 404. The depictedexample may be preferred for use in the validation process, because thesurface contact between the conductive metal layer and the backsidesurface of the integrated circuit die may be sufficiently high topromote diffusion of conductive metallic ions between the test component404 and the integrated circuit die 402.

Alternatively, in some examples, as shown in FIG. 6, the test component404 may include a transport media layer 600 that is applied directly tothe backside surface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402. In someexamples, the transport media layer 600 may be applied to substantiallythe entire backside surface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402.Furthermore, a conductive metal layer 602 may be applied directly to thetransport media layer 600 to form the test component 404. In someexamples, the conductive metal layer 602 may be applied to substantiallythe entire surface of the transport media layer 600. In some examples,the transport media layer 602 may have a surface area that is greaterthan or equal to a surface area of the conductive metal layer 500.

Returning to FIG. 4, in some implementations, the test assembly 400optionally may include a heat sink 408. The heat sink 408 may be appliedto a backside surface 410 of the test component 404. In particular, theheat sink 408 may be clamped to the integrated circuit die 402 tocompress the test component 404 to the backside surface 406 of theintegrated circuit die 402. In this way, surface contact between thetest component 404 and the integrated circuit die 402 may be increasedto better facilitate diffusion of conductive metallic ions between thetest component 404 and the integrated circuit die 402.

FIG. 7 schematically shows aspects of the test assembly 400 includingthe heat sink 408. In particular, when the heat sink 408 is clamped tothe integrated circuit die 402, the heat sink 408 compresses the testcomponent 404 causing the conductive metal layer 700 to press againstthe backside surface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402 to increasesurface contact between the two surfaces. Furthermore, in some examples,the transport media layer 702 may be a viscous material. In some suchexamples, the heat sink 408 may compress the transport media layer 702causing the transport media to envelope the circumference of theconductive metal layer 700. In particular, the transport media may bepressed around the outer edges of the conductive metal layer 700 inbetween the backside surface 406 and the conductive metal layer 700.Such a spatial arrangement of the different components of the testassembly 400 may further promote ionization of the conductive metal anddiffusion of the conductive metallic ions from the conductive metallayer 700 into the integrated circuit die 402.

Returning to FIG. 3, at 304, the method 300 includes heating the testassembly to a thermal activation temperature. For example, the testassembly may be placed in an oven to heat the test assembly to thethermal activation temperature. The thermal activation temperature maybe a temperature that is suitable to promote diffusion of conductivemetallic ions throughout the integrated circuit die under test. In someexamples, the thermal activation temperature may be a temperature atwhich the transport media changes phase (e.g., becomes more viscous orat least partially liquifies to promote transport of conductive metallicions). In order to accelerate any potential diffusion of conductivemetallic ions throughout the integrated circuit die under test, in someexamples, the thermal activation temperature may be set such that it isgreater than an operating temperature of the integrated circuit die.This may allow diffusion to occur more quickly than it would occurduring normal operation of the integrated circuit die. For example, thethermal activation temperature may be selected from a thermal range of100-150 degrees Celsius. In one particular example, the thermalactivation temperature is 125 degrees Celsius.

Furthermore, in some examples, the test assembly may be heated to thethermal activation temperature for a designated duration that issuitable to promote diffusion of conductive metallic ions throughout theintegrated circuit die under test. For example, the designated durationmay be is selected from a temporal range of 72-120 hours. In oneparticular example, the test assembly is heated to the thermalactivation temperature for 96 hours.

In some implementations, at 306, the method 300 optionally may includepressurizing the test assembly at an increased pressure relative to anambient pressure while the test assembly is being heated to the thermalactivation temperature. For example, the test assembly may be heated andpressurized in an autoclave or some other heated pressure chamber. Thetest assembly may be pressurized in addition to being heated to furtherhasten the diffusion of conductive metallic ions in the integratedcircuit die under test. In some examples, the test assembly may bepressurized for substantially the entire duration that the test assemblyis heated. In other examples, the test assembly may be pressurized for aportion of the duration that the test assembly is heated.

In some implementations in which the test assembly is pressurized, thetransport media of the test component that is applied to the integratedcircuit die under test may be a liquid that forms a film on the testassembly once the test assembly is pressurized. For example, as shown inFIG. 8, a conductive metal layer 802 may be applied to the backsidesurface 406 of the integrated circuit die 402 under test to form a testassembly 400. The test assembly 400 may be placed in a pressure chamber800 and pressurized. The pressurization may cause an adsorbed H₂O layer804 to form on the exposed backside surface 806 of the conductive metallayer 802. The adsorbed H₂O layer 804 may act as a transport media layerthat facilitates the diffusion of conductive metallic ions between theconductive metal layer 802 and the integrated circuit die 402. In theillustrated example, the conductive metal layer 802 and the adsorbed H₂Olayer 804 may collectively comprise the test component 404. It will beappreciated that any suitable adsorbed material may form a film on theconductive metal layer 802 under pressurization to act as a transportmedia of the test component 404.

Returning to FIG. 3, in some implementations, at 308, the method 300optionally may include removing the test component from the integratedcircuit die under test. The test component may be removed after heatingthe test assembly in order to allow for the integrated circuit die to beinstalled in a computing device to computer validate the integratedcircuit die. In some implementations, the test component may be removed,and the heat sink may be applied to the backside surface of theintegrated circuit die. Alternatively, in some implementations, the testcomponent may remain connected to the integrated circuit under testduring computer validation.

At 310, the method 300 includes computer validating the integratedcircuit die to determine whether or not the integrated circuit die hasthe conductive metallic ion diffusion defect. Computer validation of theintegrated circuit die under test may be performed by any suitable testcomputing device. For example, the test computing system 900 shown inFIG. 9 may perform computer validation of the integrated circuit dieunder test. In some examples, computer validating may include installingthe integrated circuit die in a test computing device, and determiningthat the integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic iondiffusion defect based on the test computing device not being able to bepowered on. In some examples, computer validating may include installingthe integrated circuit die in a test computing device, and determiningthat the integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic diffusiondefect based on the test computing device producing rendered imageshaving graphical artifacts. In some examples, computer validating mayinclude installing the integrated circuit die in a test computingdevice, and determining that the integrated circuit die has theconductive metallic ion diffusion defect based on the test computingdevice producing another type of error. In some examples, computervalidating may include in-situ testing in a stress environment withcontinuous repetitive testing of the integrated circuit die. Forexample, the integrated circuit die under test may be installed in atest computing device, and the test computing device may be controlledto repeatedly perform processing intensive computing operations.Further, it may be determined that the integrated circuit die has theconductive metallic ion diffusion defect based on the test computingdevice being unable to produce a desired result or otherwise beingunable to perform the computing operations. Further, in someimplementations, an integrated circuit die/processor (e.g., 901, 902)may be configured with built-in test functionality to perform functionaltesting on the die itself without requiring the entire computing system.In some such implementations, it may be determined that the integratedcircuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusion defect based onthe built-in test functions in the die/processor (901, 902) outputtingan expected test result that indicates that the die is not functioningproperly or the die/processor is otherwise unable to perform theself-test properly to produce an expected result.

In some implementations, the methods and processes described herein maybe tied to a computing system of one or more computing devices. Inparticular, such methods and processes may be implemented as acomputer-application program or service, an application-programminginterface (API), a library, and/or other computer-program product.

FIG. 9 schematically shows a non-limiting implementation of a computingsystem 900 that can at least partially enact one or more of the methodsand processes described above. Computing system 900 is shown insimplified form. Computing system 900 may be used to computer validatean integrated circuit die 901 under test that is installed in thecomputing system 900 as described above with reference to the validationmethod illustrated in FIG. 3. Computing system 900 may take the form ofone or more personal computers, server computers, tablet computers,home-entertainment computers, network computing devices, gaming devices,mobile computing devices, mobile communication devices (e.g., smartphone), and/or other computing devices, and wearable computing devicessuch as smart wristwatches and head mounted augmented reality devices.

Computing system 900 includes a logic processor 902 volatile memory 904,and a non-volatile storage device 906. Computing system 900 mayoptionally include a display subsystem 908, input subsystem 910,communication subsystem 912, and/or other components not shown in FIG.9.

Logic processor 902 includes one or more physical devices configured toexecute instructions. For example, the logic processor may be configuredto execute instructions that are part of one or more applications,programs, routines, libraries, objects, components, data structures, orother logical constructs. Such instructions may be implemented toperform a task, implement a data type, transform the state of one ormore components, achieve a technical effect, or otherwise arrive at adesired result.

The logic processor 902 may include one or more physical processors(hardware) configured to execute software instructions. Additionally oralternatively, the logic processor 902 may include one or more hardwarelogic circuits or firmware devices configured to executehardware-implemented logic or firmware instructions. Processors of thelogic processor 902 may be single-core or multi-core, and theinstructions executed thereon may be configured for sequential,parallel, and/or distributed processing. Individual components of thelogic processor 902 optionally may be distributed among two or moreseparate devices, which may be remotely located and/or configured forcoordinated processing. Aspects of the logic processor 902 may bevirtualized and executed by remotely accessible, networked computingdevices configured in a cloud-computing configuration. In such a case,these virtualized aspects are run on different physical logic processorsof various different machines, it will be understood. In some examples,the integrated circuit die 901 under test may be installed into thelogic processor 902 to test the functionality of the integrated circuitdie 901 as part of computer validation of the integrated circuit die901.

Non-volatile storage device 906 includes one or more physical devicesconfigured to hold instructions executable by the logic processors to atleast partially implement the methods and processes described herein.When such methods and processes are implemented, the state ofnon-volatile storage device 906 may be transformed—e.g., to holddifferent data.

Non-volatile storage device 906 may include physical devices that areremovable and/or built-in. Non-volatile storage device 1006 may includeoptical memory (e.g., CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-Ray Disc, etc.),semiconductor memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, etc.),and/or magnetic memory (e.g., hard-disk drive, floppy-disk drive, tapedrive, MRAM, etc.), or other mass storage device technology.Non-volatile storage device 906 may include nonvolatile, dynamic,static, read/write, read-only, sequential-access, location-addressable,file-addressable, and/or content-addressable devices. It will beappreciated that non-volatile storage device 906 is configured to holdinstructions even when power is cut to the non-volatile storage device906.

Volatile memory 904 may include physical devices that include randomaccess memory. Volatile memory 904 is typically utilized by logicprocessor 902 to temporarily store information during processing ofsoftware instructions. It will be appreciated that volatile memory 904typically does not continue to store instructions when power is cut tothe volatile memory 904.

Aspects of logic processor 902, volatile memory 904, and non-volatilestorage device 906 may be integrated together into one or morehardware-logic components. Such hardware-logic components may includefield-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program- andapplication-specific integrated circuits (PASIC/ASICs), program- andapplication-specific standard products (PSSP/ASSPs), system-on-a-chip(SOC), and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), for example.

When included, display subsystem 908 may be used to present a visualrepresentation of data held by non-volatile storage device 906. Thevisual representation may take the form of a graphical user interface(GUI). As the herein described methods and processes change the dataheld by the non-volatile storage device, and thus transform the state ofthe non-volatile storage device, the state of display subsystem 908 maylikewise be transformed to visually represent changes in the underlyingdata. Display subsystem 908 may include one or more display devicesutilizing virtually any type of technology. Such display devices may becombined with logic processor 902, volatile memory 904, and/ornon-volatile storage device 906 in a shared enclosure, or such displaydevices may be peripheral display devices.

When included, input subsystem 910 may comprise or interface with one ormore user-input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or gamecontroller. In some implementations, the input subsystem 910 maycomprise or interface with selected natural user input (NUI)componentry. Such componentry may be integrated or peripheral, and thetransduction and/or processing of input actions may be handled on- oroff-board. Example NUI componentry may include a microphone for speechand/or voice recognition; an infrared, color, stereoscopic, and/or depthcamera for machine vision and/or gesture recognition; a head tracker,eye tracker, accelerometer, and/or gyroscope for motion detection and/orintent recognition; as well as electric-field sensing componentry forassessing brain activity; and/or any other suitable sensor.

When included, communication subsystem 912 may be configured tocommunicatively couple various computing devices described herein witheach other, and with other devices. Communication subsystem 912 mayinclude wired and/or wireless communication devices compatible with oneor more different communication protocols. As non-limiting examples, thecommunication subsystem 912 may be configured for communication via awireless telephone network, or a wired or wireless local- or wide-areanetwork, such as a HDMI over Wi-Fi connection. In some implementations,the communication subsystem 912 may allow computing system 900 to sendand/or receive messages to and/or from other devices via a network suchas the Internet.

In an example, a method for validating that an integrated circuit die isnot susceptible to a conductive metallic ion diffusion defect comprisesapplying a test component to a backside surface of the integratedcircuit die to form a test assembly. The test component includes aconductive metal layer and a transport media layer for facilitatingdiffusion of conductive metallic ions. The method further comprisesheating the test assembly at a thermal activation temperature, andcomputer validating the integrated circuit die to determine whether ornot the integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusiondefect. In this example and/or other examples, the method may furthercomprise pressurizing the test assembly at an increased pressurerelative to an ambient pressure while the test assembly is being heated.In this example and/or other examples, the transport media may includeadsorbed H2O. In this example and/or other examples, the transport mediamay include a thermal interface material. In this example and/or otherexamples, the conductive metal may include copper. In this exampleand/or other examples, the test component may cover substantially anentire backside surface of the integrated circuit die. In this exampleand/or other examples, the test assembly may further include a heatsink, and the heat sink may be clamped to the integrated circuit die tocompress the conductive metal layer and the transport media layer of thetest component to the backside surface of the integrated circuit die. Inthis example and/or other examples, the conductive metal layer may beapplied to the backside surface of the integrated circuit die, and thetransport media layer may be applied to the conductive metal layer. Inthis example and/or other examples, the transport media layer may beapplied to the backside surface of the integrated circuit die, and theconductive metal layer may be applied to the transport media layer. Inthis example and/or other examples, the test assembly may be heated fora designated duration that is selected from a temporal range of 72-120hours. In this example and/or other examples, the thermal activationtemperature may be selected from a thermal range of 100-150 degreesCelsius. In this example and/or other examples, the transport medialayer may have a surface area greater than or equal to a surface area ofthe conductive metal layer. In this example and/or other examples,computer validating may include installing the integrated circuit die ina test computing device, and determining that the integrated circuit diehas the conductive metallic ion diffusion defect based on the testcomputing device not being able to be powered on. In this example and/orother examples, computer validating may include installing theintegrated circuit die in a test computing device, and determining thatthe integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusiondefect based on the test computing device producing rendered imageshaving graphical artifacts.

In an example, a method for validating that an integrated circuit die isnot susceptible to a copper ion diffusion defect comprises applying atest component to a backside surface of the integrated circuit die toform a test assembly. The test component includes a copper layer and athermal interface material layer for facilitating diffusion of copperions. The method further comprises heating the test assembly at athermal activation temperature greater than an operating temperature ofthe integrated circuit die for a designated duration, removing the testcomponent from the integrated circuit die, and computer validating theintegrated circuit die to determine whether or not the integratedcircuit die has the copper ion diffusion defect. In this example and/orother examples, the test assembly may further include a heat sink, andthe heat sink may be clamped to the integrated circuit die to compressthe copper layer and the thermal interface material layer of the testcomponent to the backside surface of the integrated circuit die. In thisexample and/or other examples, the copper layer may be applied to thebackside surface of the integrated circuit die, and the transport medialayer may be applied to the thermal interface material layer. In thisexample and/or other examples, the thermal activation temperature may beselected from a thermal range of 100-150 degrees Celsius. In thisexample and/or other examples, the designated duration that the testassembly is heated may be selected from a temporal range of 72-120hours.

In an example, a method for validating that an integrated circuit die isnot susceptible to a copper ion diffusion defect comprises applying atest component to a backside surface of the integrated circuit die toform a test assembly. The test component includes a copper layer and atransport media layer for facilitating diffusion of copper ions. Themethod further comprises heating the test assembly at a thermalactivation temperature greater than an operating temperature of theintegrated circuit die for a designated duration, pressurizing the testassembly at an increased pressure relative to an ambient pressure whilethe test assembly is being heated at the thermal activation temperature,removing the test component from the integrated circuit die, andcomputer validating the integrated circuit die to determine whether ornot the integrated circuit die has the copper ion diffusion defect.

It will be understood that the configurations and/or approachesdescribed herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specificembodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense,because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines ormethods described herein may represent one or more of any number ofprocessing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated and/ordescribed may be performed in the sequence illustrated and/or described,in other sequences, in parallel, or omitted. Likewise, the order of theabove-described processes may be changed.

The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel andnon-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various processes,systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/orproperties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for validating that an integratedcircuit die is not susceptible to a conductive metallic ion diffusiondefect, the method comprising: applying a test component to a backsidesurface of the integrated circuit die to form a test assembly, whereinthe test component includes a conductive metal layer and a transportmedia layer for facilitating diffusion of conductive metallic ions;heating the test assembly at a thermal activation temperature; andcomputer validating the integrated circuit die to determine whether ornot the integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusiondefect.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: pressurizing thetest assembly at an increased pressure relative to an ambient pressurewhile the test assembly is being heated.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the transport media includes adsorbed H₂O.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the transport media includes a thermal interfacematerial.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the conductive metalincludes copper.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the test componentcovers substantially an entire backside surface of the integratedcircuit die.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the test assembly furtherincludes a heat sink, and wherein the heat sink is clamped to theintegrated circuit die to compress the conductive metal layer and thetransport media layer of the test component to the backside surface ofthe integrated circuit die.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theconductive metal layer is applied to the backside surface of theintegrated circuit die, and wherein the transport media layer is appliedto the conductive metal layer.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thetransport media layer is applied to the backside surface of theintegrated circuit die, and wherein the conductive metal layer isapplied to the transport media layer.
 10. The method of claim 1, whereinthe test assembly is heated for a designated duration that is selectedfrom a temporal range of 72-120 hours.
 11. The method of claim 1,wherein the thermal activation temperature is selected from a thermalrange of 100-150 degrees Celsius.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein thetransport media layer has a surface area greater than or equal to asurface area of the conductive metal layer.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein computer validating includes installing the integrated circuitdie in a test computing device, and determining that the integratedcircuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusion defect based onthe test computing device not being able to be powered on.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, wherein computer validating includes installing theintegrated circuit die in a test computing device, and determining thatthe integrated circuit die has the conductive metallic ion diffusiondefect based on the test computing device producing rendered imageshaving graphical artifacts.
 15. The method of claim 1, wherein computervalidating includes performing a self-test of the integrated circuit dieand determining that the integrated circuit die has the conductivemetallic ion diffusion defect based on the self-test producing anexpected result.
 16. A method for validating that an integrated circuitdie is not susceptible to a copper ion diffusion defect, the methodcomprising: applying a test component to a backside surface of theintegrated circuit die to form a test assembly, wherein the testcomponent includes a copper layer and a thermal interface material layerfor facilitating diffusion of copper ions; heating the test assembly ata thermal activation temperature greater than an operating temperatureof the integrated circuit die for a designated duration; removing thetest component from the integrated circuit die; and computer validatingthe integrated circuit die to determine whether or not the integratedcircuit die has the copper ion diffusion defect.
 17. The method of claim16, wherein the test assembly further includes a heat sink, and whereinthe heat sink is clamped to the integrated circuit die to compress thecopper layer and the thermal interface material layer of the testcomponent to the backside surface of the integrated circuit die.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the copper layer is applied to the backsidesurface of the integrated circuit die, and wherein the transport medialayer is applied to the thermal interface material layer.
 19. The methodof claim 16, wherein the thermal activation temperature is selected froma thermal range of 100-150 degrees Celsius and wherein the designatedduration that the test assembly is heated is selected from a temporalrange of 72-120 hours.
 20. A method for validating that an integratedcircuit die is not susceptible to a copper ion diffusion defect, themethod comprising: applying a test component to a backside surface ofthe integrated circuit die to form a test assembly, wherein the testcomponent includes a copper layer and a transport media layer forfacilitating diffusion of copper ions; heating the test assembly at athermal activation temperature greater than an operating temperature ofthe integrated circuit die for a designated duration; pressurizing thetest assembly at an increased pressure relative to an ambient pressurewhile the test assembly is being heated at the thermal activationtemperature; removing the test component from the integrated circuitdie; and computer validating the integrated circuit die to determinewhether or not the integrated circuit die has the copper ion diffusiondefect.